Socket Grafting

At a tooth extraction site, any inflamed or infected materials are removed and the socket is cleaned. The socket is then filled with a suitable bone grafting material. The incision in the gum is closed with sutures and the grafted area takes about eight to twelve months to heal.

Normal Jawbone vs. Deficient Jawbone

Dental implants, dentures and bridges require a sufficient amount of jawbone to support the appliance. Insufficient jawbone causes dentures and bridges to be unstable, and existing dentures will eventually loose their "fit," requiring new impressions to be made.

The first illustration depicts a normal jawbone. The second jawbone has insufficient bone and would require bone grafting to support dentures or bridges. In areas of tooth loss, bone will continue to atrophy, causing a reduction in the quantity and quality of the remaining bone.

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